smckechnie -> Game realities vs real history (7/27/2021 4:26:39 AM)
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Here are some things to think about for Swedish diplomatic reaction. First some historical background. 1. Sweden’s overall goal was to stay neutral and not get invaded. 2. When Norway got invaded by the Germans this actually moved Sweden to be closer to Germany until 1943. Sweden was effectively surrounded by the axis when Norway was taken. To not get invaded they played nice with the Germans. They allowed German troop movements through the country and kept the Iron ore shipments to Germany. 3. Sweden was dependent on German coal for survival, gets cold up there. So people who criticize their shipping ore to Germany don’t get that it was a matter of survival. It wasn’t like the allies could ship in coal to the place. 4. When the war started to turn against Germany, Sweden, started to appease the allies more with certain things. 5. Sweden did profit lots from the war apparently, with trade with Germany. 6. There is an ongoing argument that German war industry would have been severely hurt without Iron ore from Sweden. Some arguing that the war would have ended sooner if the shipments had stopped. For the game: 1. If the allies take Norway, then Germany seriously threatened on its northern flank probably more than would have been the case in real life. 2. With control of Norway the allied navies can more easily get into the Baltic. In the game this is possible, but in reality it would have been suiicide for any allied surface ship to go into the Baltic. The Luftwaffe would have blown them out of the water up until the end of the war. The game doesn’t do a great job of taking this fact into account. 3. I do not think that the game accurately depicts the strength of the Swedish defense forces. Maybe early on in the war, but by 1943 they had 500k plus troops that they could call on. It is too easy to conquer them in the game. 4. Diplomatically it is the opposite of what you would think. If the allies invade Norway, Sweden would move more to the allies diplomatically to appease the allies. Shut off iron ore shipments. In attempt to not be invaded. 5. If the Germans invade Norway, Sweden moves more to the axis. 6. Overall, it should be hard for either side to get Sweden mobilized to fight for either side, as there number 1 goal was to not be involved in the war.
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